Description
Integer overflow in xpath.c in libxml2 2.6.x through 2.6.32 and 2.7.x through 2.7.8, and libxml 1.8.16 and earlier, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted XML file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow when adding a new namespace node, related to handling of XPath expressions.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | libxml2 | 2.7.8.dfsg-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | libxml2 | 2.7.8.dfsg-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | libxml2 | 2.7.8.dfsg-3 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | libxml2 | 2.7.8.dfsg-2+squeeze1 | DSA-2255-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | libxml2 | 2.6.32.dfsg-5+lenny4 | DSA-2255-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | libxml2 +3 | 2.7.6-4.el6 | RHSA-2011:1749 |
| RHEL 6 | mingw32-libxml2 +1 | 2.7.6-6.el6_3 | RHSA-2013:0217 |
| RHEL 5 | libxml2 +2 | 2.6.26-2.1.12.el5_7.2 | RHSA-2012:0017 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libxml2 | 2.9.4-1.22 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10192-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- libxmlInvalid 2.7.x - XPath Multiple Memory Corruption Vulnerabilities EDB-35810 · remote · May 31, 2011 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 6
- RHSA-2013:0217 Red Hat Security Advisory: mingw32-libxml2 security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2012:0017 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxml2 security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2011:1749 Red Hat Security Advisory: libxml2 security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2255-1 libxml2 - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10192-1 libxml2-2-2.9.4-1.22 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2023-1614 Tenable Security Nessus Network Monitor: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 25, 2023
References
- 48056 vdb-entry
- 44711 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2011:131 vendor-advisory
- HPSBMU02786 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2011:0839 vendor-advisory
- http://git.gnome.org/browse/libxml2/commit/?id=d7958b21e7f8c447a26bb2436f08402b2c308be4
- APPLE-SA-2012-09-19-1 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5503
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=709747
- RHSA-2013:0217 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2011:1749 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2015-1972971.html
- DSA-2255 vendor-advisory
- 73248 vdb-entry
- http://scarybeastsecurity.blogspot.com/2011/05/libxml-vulnerability-and-interesting.html
- FEDORA-2011-7856 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110531 Re: CVE request: libxml vulnerability and interesting integer issues mailing-list
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5281
- APPLE-SA-2012-05-09-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1153-1 vendor-advisory